Cebu: Two individuals were apprehended for allegedly attempting to bribe police officers with PHP1 million following the interception of PHP20 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in Cebu.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported on Tuesday that the arrests occurred during an entrapment operation on Sunday in Santander municipality. The suspects allegedly approached law enforcement with their bribe offer, a day after 200 boxes of illegal ORIS cigarettes, valued at approximately PHP20 million, were confiscated at a checkpoint.

Verification confirmed that the ORIS brand is not legally registered for sale in the Philippines. Authorities seized PHP1 million in cash, a sports utility vehicle, and smartphones from the two suspects, who are now under the custody of the Regional Special Projects Unit 7 for documentation, inquest proceedings, and filing of appropriate criminal charges.

"This only showed the dedication of our police personnel to resist any bribery," acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. stated. "We are here to enforce the law and protect public resources, and these operations show that we follow through from seizure to accountability."